I keep seeing him in the hospital-bed, after he jumped an eight-foot fence BANG on the concrete, smashing the shit out of his knee, elbow and pride. I keep seeing him after the week-long queue to the hours-long operation, with the bright lights and duelling surgeons. After the wild pain, the crazy drugs.
I blew into his hospital room with Naomi, the love of his life on my arm. Mike was bare-chested on the white-sheets, clean-shaven, cracking wise in the sun, happy as a good man can be. His left arm and right leg were swaddled, blinding white. He looked like a new-born. At 52.
- Mikey jumped fences so he could play on the train-tracks with his cousin.
He grabbed his shirt when he saw me but I wanted it to stay off. Life was laid bare in that hospital room, down to the bone. I fucked up, he told me, but I’m getting over it. He apologized for crying three times in as many hours. I’m so happy to be alive.
Before he met Naomi, Mike’s biggest dream was to be a Dad, and he was a great one. He divorced young and took care of his three priceless kids, no alimony. Love jammed their home, but at some point, he wanted more.
I slipped him a stash of my homemade chocolate-chip cookies. I was clueless he didn’t like sweets but he ate one gamely, staggered by its greatness, and told me a top-drawer love-story when I asked.
Mike met Naomi 13 years ago through an old-school telephone dating service. Every minute cost and he was about to hang up when he heard her voice. She was laughing. They spoke for two solid-gold hours, then agreed to meet at a café. He got there early and sat in his car, pissing in his pants, scared witless, and was about to drive off when he remembered that he felt really good with her on the phone. When she walked into the café, she was wearing a soft-brown hat with long, floppy ears. He was hooked.
(The floppy ear-hat got lost, but she had others)
We rocked with laughter in that hospital room. Naomi sat at the foot of Mike’s bed, rubbing his feet. I couldn’t keep my eyes off either one of them. Their heat lit up the room.
*
Click here to read the first part of this story: Love or Death, 1.
R.I.P. Mike, in our hearts or somewhere we can’t see.
*
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[...] Click here to read Life or Death, 2. [...]
Pingback by Life or Death « burns the fire — February 21, 2013 @ 2:31 pm |
When I was studying in England, I knew a guy called Paul or Sebastian who had an Alsatian/German Shepherd called Tessa or Hash. Sebastian was – come to think about it – homeless, staying with friends, not knowing where he was going to spend the night. Anyway this man, who always did what he could to help those who helped him, always, always had a record with him wherever he went. It was “Mirror Man” by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band.
II have found my Mirror Man and it’s the excellent Bruce Springsteen’s magic “The Rising”.
‘You can call me Joe, Buy me a drink and shake my hand, You want courage, I’ll show you courage you can understand.” … “Your kiss, your touch, your heart, your strength, your hope, your faith, your face, your love, your dream, your life.” (from Track #4, The Rising, Nothing Man)
Excellent story, Brenda. It touched me.
Comment by Jerry Cohen — February 21, 2013 @ 2:32 pm |
My heart breaks for Naomi. Please give her my love. And thank you, Brenda, for sharing this story in such a profound and beautiful way.
Comment by amy — February 21, 2013 @ 2:49 pm |
True emotion from simple facts of life. Thanks Brenda.
Mathieu.B
Comment by mathieu Beaudin — February 21, 2013 @ 5:31 pm |
Brenda je continue de lire et d’aimer ton blogue… Quelle triste histoire, la mort soudaine de Mike.
Je ne suis pas certaine de les avoir déjà rencontrés, Naomi et lui. Je t’embrasse, G.
Comment by Geneviève Letarte — February 21, 2013 @ 5:31 pm |
lol. Well done. I can’t wait another ten days…
Comment by awriterweavesatale — February 25, 2013 @ 6:49 pm |
Very honest and moving piece.
Comment by charmaineclancy — March 1, 2013 @ 8:55 pm |
You have a very artistic way of writing. It draws me in & I want to know more about Mike & Naomi’s story. Very moving.
Comment by Desiree — March 7, 2013 @ 2:14 pm |
Thanks for your comments, all. The story continues as Naomi battles to get the hospital to investigate Mike’s death. She is not interested in suing but they are hedging and it is pissing me off.
Desiree, if you’d like to read more about them, check out Part 1:
http://burnsthefire.com/2013/01/14/life-or-death/
Comment by Burns the Fire — March 7, 2013 @ 2:27 pm |
Don’t think I could stop at just one. I had to move on over your first story immediately. Thanks again….a super good read. I’ll be back for sure.
Comment by Desiree — March 7, 2013 @ 7:51 pm |
I liked a lot the way it is written
Comment by Nadia. B — March 9, 2013 @ 12:50 pm |
Thanks for posting Brenda. My daughter shared this blog with me, and I had never seen this pic of Mike when he was a child. I now see quite of bit of Mike in our grandson, Lion. Naomi shared her story with me a couple of months ago, and I was amazed then how she and Mike must have been destined to be together. It certainly wasn’t like Mike to call a dating service. I am so glad they found each other, and that Naomi has brought so much to my childrens’ lives. My heart grieves with her.
Comment by Laurie Caron Pasher — March 20, 2013 @ 7:15 pm |
It was my great pleasure to write this post, Laurie. Thanks for your heartfelt words.
Comment by Burns the Fire — March 22, 2013 @ 10:09 pm |
Brenda,
This was beautifully written, and heartbreaking. A touching eulogy.
Le Clown
Comment by Le Clown — April 17, 2013 @ 9:02 am |
Thank you, Eric. You broke my heart, too. http://clownonfire.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/through-a-glass-window/
Comment by Burns the Fire — April 17, 2013 @ 1:49 pm |
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